Despite the general confusion and contradiction surrounding the Rigel system, the different versions of Rigel XII actually agree fairly well. Thus they are merged below, with notes for the specific contradictions.

Though Childress Camp was founded in the 2190s in Worlds, Ben Childress was living there in 2266, around 70 years later. Short of great longevity, a simple explanation may be that he is a descendant of the original Childress, or that the camp was later named for him.

These six humans are likely the same six seen in Mudd's Women. They appear to have upgraded to include dilithium mining on behalf of the Orions; however, dilithium extraction equipment does not arrive until 2287. This may be better equipment, or the Orion arrangement does not occur until 2287. This is likely to be before or after the childhood of the apparently alien Jana Akton, below.

Starfleet was frequently drawn into the Rigel system, the Human colony on Rigel XII being one particular reason. Once dilithium extraction equipment was delivered in 2287, Childress Camp developed into a key refining plant for the entire sector, and a vital resupply station for Starfleet. The 800-year-long winter ended in the late 23rd century as well; the warming temperature and increasing Starfleet presence lead to a growing population, and it became a dull but extremely important economic hub. (Decipher RPGmodule: Worlds)

By 2365, Federation settlement on Rigel XII was still a small mining colony. There was also a huge and fully automated subterranean dilithium refining facility, which was in continuous operation to supply the Federation's dilithium needs. (STreference: The Worlds of the Federation)

Over the course of its history, Rigel XII had populations of 100 Humans and Andorians, dropping to only 3 and then 6 Humans, and finally rose to hundreds of thousands. Most settlements were in the form of mining camps, the most prominent of which was Childress Camp. (Decipher RPGmodule: Worlds)

Meanwhile, Orions says the world has 100% land mass — i.e., no seas — while Worlds gives it a 20% frozen hydrosphere, referring to the ice seas. As these seas are frozen, not liquid water, these two descriptions do not necessarily contradict.

The end of winter in the late 23rd century may explain some of these differences.

Rigel XII was unique for the composition of its crust, which was made almost entirely of lithium compounds and crystals, as well as plentiful quantities of dilithium, especially beneath the north pole's frozen sea. Few other worlds in the known galaxy had naturally occurring lithium crystals that could be mined at a purity suitable for use in warp drives. However, expensive and bulky equipment was required to extract the dilithium. These two valuable resources were the prime reason for occupying the planet (Decipher RPGmodule: Worlds), and made it vital to the Federation (STreference: Star Charts).

The world had few native life-forms. These usually hibernated for centuries, or reproduced by spores or cysts that could endure the glaciers and freezing temperatures. (Decipher RPGmodule: Worlds)